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I Didn’t Make It to Cooperstown — or Why God’s Plan Is Better Than Yours

A few years ago, we were moving some things from my mother’s house, and I found a letter addressed to myself to be opened after 2016. Evidently, I wrote the letter in the summer of 1991 for a career... Continue Reading »

Till All Have Heard

Chris lived in the shadow of a South Carolina Baptist steeple. He was lost. After years of decline, the church decided to be replanted. Pastor Ed Stewart birthed New Creation Baptist Church, one of our 34 funded church plants,... Continue Reading »

Let the Armies of Hell Take Note: Reflections on the 2024 SCBaptist Convention

I write these words less than 24 hours from the closing gavel of our 2024 SCBaptist Convention at FBC Columbia. My heart is still swollen with gratitude to our God, love for our people, and hope for our future.... Continue Reading »

The Election Is (Finally) Over; What Should We Do Now?

In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, Nov. 6, America’s hotly contested presidential election was called for Republican Donald J. Trump, who now becomes presidents 45 and 47. After four years of leadership from a Democrat administration that pushed... Continue Reading »

South Carolina Has Failing Grade on Parental Rights

If the title of this column surprises or shocks you, you are not alone. When I read the data provided by Alliance Defending Freedom, it amazed me how South Carolina law does not clearly define parental rights and offers... Continue Reading »

Acts 16:1-18:22 — On Mission

The gospel of Jesus Christ is for all nations and ethnic groups. God makes this truth clear throughout the book of Acts. Each chapter reveals the Holy Spirit ensuring that the apostles would be witnesses “to the end of... Continue Reading »

Hope Through Disaster

Disasters have a way of getting your attention. Dylan was one of thousands of South Carolina residents whose homes were affected by downed trees from Hurricane Helene’s destructive path. The early morning hours of the storm for his street... Continue Reading »

The Heartbeat of SCBaptists: Give and Go

Nov. 11–12, SCBaptists from across the state will gather at Columbia’s First Baptist Church for our 204th annual meeting. The room will be full of pastors, associate ministry staff, lay leaders, and church members who are invested in our... Continue Reading »

Till All Have Heard, We Must Stand Strong

I remember reading Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities while in high school. My imagination was instantly captured by one of the most iconic opening paragraphs in literature. “It was the best of times, it was the worst... Continue Reading »

Christian Voting in a Polarized Political Climate

We live in a tumultuous, polarized, sharply divided partisan political environment. Everyday exchanges on social media and daily conversations with friends, co-workers, and family members can, and often do, devolve into heated debates over the issues of our day.... Continue Reading »

We Must Show Up

Ten days after the ascension of Christ, the disciples were in the upper room of Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. The signs and miracles that took place on that day were numerous: the sound of a violent rushing... Continue Reading »

We the People

“Who is that? They’re not being very nice,” my 5-year-old son asked as he pointed at the TV. “Well, son, one of them will be the future president of the United States,” I said reluctantly. “You shouldn’t vote for... Continue Reading »